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Project Portfolio Management

Solving the Resource Capacity Conundrum

Do you know what’s at risk when your resources are overcommitted or underutilized?

Published By Martha Garcia
Solving the Resource Capacity Conundrum

As a business leader, your job is to set strategic initiatives and grow the business. The conundrum is how to reconcile capacity and demand to determine what your organization can accomplish while adapting to constant change. Here’s some information on solving resource capacity problems.

In a recent study, a group of 480 leaders and executives from global organizations shared how they maximize resource capacity. Here’s a quote from one of the survey respondents that I think executives need to consider.

“Our top business risks of not taking action to improve our tools is that executives think that things are getting done on time, when in reality resources are stretched too thin, the performance of the team is compromised, and we deliver late, sacrifice quality, and increase costs.”
– Director, R&D, Consumer Product Goods Manufacturer

I found it interesting that business leaders assume work is getting done but often don’t realize at what cost. This gap in information often results in poor quality of work, low team morale, and an impact to the business’ bottom line.

On the other hand, it’s not all doom and gloom. Here’s another quote from a survey respondent that has mastered capacity planning within their organization by taking steps to mature their processes and tools.

“We’re no longer managing risk, we’re focused on proactive planning and what-if scenario analysis.”
– Major U.S. Health Insurance Provider

Those top performing organizations that are looking ahead and are able to think about how they can speed innovation, deliver exceptional quality products and services all with the resources they have today.

For more on this topic, I recommend reading the complete eBook, “The Resource Capacity Conundrum: Why Solving It is Essential for Growth (eBook).” I recently moderated a 30 minute webcast, The Resource Capacity Conundrum: Why Solving It is Essential for Growth, with Maureen Carlson, Chief Researcher at Appleseed Research that I encourage you to attend as she provides insights from the eBook.

How would you rate your organization’s maturity in its capacity planning and resource management processes? Do you have the visibility needed to balance your resources against current work as well as new incoming demand? Share by leaving a comment below.

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Written by Martha Garcia

Martha Garcia graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Communication Studies. It was here that she developed an interest in corporate communication, specifically in the areas of change management within complex organizations as well as leadership and organizational behavior. Martha is responsible for working closely with thought leaders in the areas of IT and the PMO to develop compelling programs and content including informative webcasts and white papers for the IT PMO community.